The owner of Aretha Franklin's birthplace has paid outstanding taxes on the South Memphis home as plans for its redevelopment continue to move forward.

Vera Lee House, the owner of the home at 406 Lucy Ave. in the Soulsville area, on Monday paid off about $1,500 in city and county taxes and weed-cutting fees, said Patricia Rogers, a spokeswoman for House.

Rogers said House paid about $600 out of her own pocket, while the remainder of the $1,488.78 balance was contributed by area pastors and other donors.

"This payment will definitely send a message that she is a major stakeholder in the property," Rogers said.

House's role in the home's future has been a point of contention as plans for rehabilitation of the dilapidated 1920s clapboard cottage have accelerated in the aftermath of Franklin's death Aug. 16 in Detroit at the age of 76.

House and her backers want to ensure her interests are not lost in the shuffle as those leading the rehabilitation effort to move ahead.

Former Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter placed the house in receivership, and Jeffrey Higgs, executive director of the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corp., became involved in preserving the home.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Vera Lee House, who owns house where Aretha Franklin was born, visits the her home in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

Aug. 16, 2018 - A fan writes a message on the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Mark Weber / The Commercial Appeal

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

Minister Michael D. Richards writes a message on the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

August 14, 2018 - Fans left messages and flowers at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

Alice Potts sings along to Aretha Franklin's songs while visiting the house were she was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

Minister Michael D. Richards writes a message on the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

August 14, 2018 - Pollyann Parker, a resident of the neighborhood where Aretha Franklin was born, leaves a message at the house where Aretha Franklin was born in South Memphis on Thursday morning. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal,

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Rogers said House and her supporters are moving ahead with plans of their own to position her strongly when proposals are presented to Dandridge.

"We have met with a potential sponsor who will donate materials to rehab the house," Rogers said Tuesday. "And I just talked to an area pastor about helping as well.
We're in talks with a construction company and doing the roofing, siding and flooring."

Rogers said she has not heard from Higgs since the last Environmental Court date Aug. 28, but Higgs said he keeps in touch with House "every day."

House, who now lives nearby, has owned the former Franklin home for about 30 years and raised 12 children there. After she left the Lucy Avenue address, it became unoccupied and fell into disrepair.

Those leading the rehab effort want to turn the house into a shrine to Franklin, a soul legend who was born in the home in 1942 and lived there for two years before her family moved to Detroit.

A vigil was held outside the home the evening of Franklin's Detroit funeral. It was the last public event held at the address.